Sermons on Short Cuts:

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lesson 42: Preach Without Notes Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2018

How to preach extemporaneously, without notes or a manuscript.

Lesson Goal In this lesson I hope to teach you how to preach extemporaneously, without notes. Lesson Intro Reading through Acts 2 we get the idea that Peter preached off the cuff. Okay, it's time to crank the ratchet up yet another notch. You have seen me allude to this before, but now it's time ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Know Your Enemy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 9, 2015

It almost sounds as if Paul - one of the greatest Christian who ever lived - is struggling against sin. It sounds like he slipped up now and again and fell short. Is that even possible?

OPEN: In October of 1974 there was a heavy-weight boxing match held in Zaire, a country in Africa. It was called the “Rumble In The Jungle” and it featured two of the best heavy-weight boxers of the day. Does anybody know who those two boxers were? (George Foreman and Muhammad ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Said, "i Am The Door/Gate"

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 6, 2025

Jesus said, "I am the Door/Gate" - a short gospel sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). A door lets people in. (2). A door keeps people out. (3). A door excludes people. SERMON BODY: Ill: • Doors Quiz illustration. • (Photos available in the PowerPoint). • Door #1: 10 Downing Street • Trivia: The London home of the British Prime Minister. • The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7

Denomination: Brethren

Passion For God Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

God will overthrow those who are opposed to him, his appointed leader will take his place over the people, and the rule of God will extend to the whole earth until all those who were cut off have been brought back to worship God in Jerusalem.

As we come to chs 9 & 10 of Zechariah it might be helpful to know that the book is divided into 3 parts: 1-6: Visions God says: return to me and I will return to you I will judge the nations rebuild Jerusalem forgive your sins raise up godly leaders bring the nations ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:11-12

Denomination: Anglican

The Power Of The Congregation

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Jun 10, 2004

There is so much talk among self appointed prophets that the day of the gathering Church is over. I can’t sit back and let these words go un-challenged. God is into unity and its impossible to have unity sitting at home by ourselves or cutting ourselves o

The power of the congregation There is so much talk among self appointed prophets that the day of the gathering Church is over. I can’t sit back and let these words go un-challenged. God is into unity and its impossible to have unity sitting at home by ourselves or cutting ourselves off from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1-3, Malachi 3:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Burn Our Hearts Again

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Jan 2, 2008

We need to feel that fire again. We need to feel it in the heart again. Like days of old, where people were cut to the heart, and when Jesus up out the scriptures to the disciples and their hearts burned. Let us see the fire from heaven again.

BURN OUR HEARTS AGAIN TEXT: 1 KINGS 18:1-46 THEME: LORD MAKE OUR HEARTS BURN FOR YOU I remember 1 Kings 18 preached at Heritage Christian University during lectureship one year. It was being preached by Steven Guy. During this sermon I made a choice in my life. It was a choice that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eleven Ways God Improves Us With Pruning

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 28, 2004

Jesus said that His Father prunes His children. The richest, the fullest, the most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation. We have no right to believe that God will use us until He has cut away wha

Eleven Ways God Improves us With Pruning (John 15:2) Illustration:Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. --John 15:2 I have several grapevines in my garden, and each year I cut out loads of long, spindly vines. Unless I remove these, they will take all the strength ...read more

Scripture: John 15:2-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Brace, Speak And Don't Give Up! Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Aug 9, 2017

Sometimes we don't see much visible fruit, or past attempts to witness or minister were not outwardly successful and tempted to hold back our witness or cut back our service. God's words to Paul Acts 18:5-11 are just the prescription.

Be Brave, Speak and Don’t Give Up! Series: Acts Chuck Sligh August 6, 2017 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 18:5-11 – “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dare Not Ever Forget Who You Are

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 29, 2005

Looks at how to learn to live like a winner.

Victory always assumes an opponent. You are victorious over or against something or someone. We accomplish living like a winner in the face of temptation and adversity. Today we are going to take an in depth look at our battle against temptation and the tempter. As we learn in the Bible the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following Christ

Contributed by Dan Santiago on Mar 14, 2007

Christian should understand the real essence of following Christ.

FOLLOWING THE CHRIST Matthew 16:21-28 God did not call us to be saved but to be followers of Christ. Examples: • Simon Peter and Andrew – “follow me” • James and John – “follow me” • Matthew – “follow me” • Rich man – “follow me” What does it mean to follow Christ? I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

No Whiners

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

Hard times come to Christians because our reactions in bad times, may be inspire others to turn to the Lord and seek forgiveness. Just as Jesus was a witness to the world through his suffering, we can be a witness and draw closer to him in ours.

There is a popular TV show called “Survivor.” It’s been on TV now for over 20 seasons. It’s syndicated all over the world. The show thrives on showing how individuals adapt to group dynamics and societal rules changes through horrendous conditions in the hope of receiving the big prize at the end. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-16, Romans 11:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Moral Compass

Contributed by Robert Harmon on Oct 4, 2014

What it takes to find the Moral Compass in our world in the only place that it can be truly found!

INTRODUCTION: How would you like to have the NFL as your moral compass? Last week, we were hammered by reports about Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson and how the NFL was responding (or not responding) to the allegations of abuse. Tabloids, Social Media, and ESPN have been overloaded with their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons From The Temptations Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 25, 2023

The first Adam was tested by Satan and was defeated. The New Adam, Jesus, faces three temptations from Satan and is victorious. We can learn what was really behind those temptations to live sanctified lives!

TEMPTATION! WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH OUR HUMAN NATURE AND SIN, WE KNOW THAT “HINDSIGHT IS 20/20!” YES, IT IS EASY TO SEE SIN FOR WHAT IT IS WHEN WE ENCOUNTER AND DEAL WITH ITS EFFECTS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT IS NOT SO APPARENT IS HOW WE GET TO THIS POINT. WHEN LEFT UNTREATED AND IT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 91:11-12, Deuteronomy 6:16, Deuteronomy 6:13, Romans 6:6, 1 Corinthians 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Calling Of God

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jan 21, 2007

Before the world was created God knew each one of us, and had preordained us to good works. Good works of course are the things He wants us to accomplish while we are here on the Earth. He has called us and equipped each of us to fulfill the things He has

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Before the world was created God knew each one of us, and had preordained us to good works. Good works of course are the things He wants us to accomplish while we are here on the Earth. He has called us and equipped each of us to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:29

Denomination: Independent/Bible